President in Pajamas Dragged Out... Trump Says "My Pick Is You" for Interim Leader [World Photo]

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"If you mess around, you die"
The United States has finally revealed its blatant ambitions. In recent days, the world was shocked by scenes of a sitting head of state being handcuffed and arrested.

The United States designated Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, not as a 'head of state' but as the 'leader of a transnational criminal organization' and extradited him to the United States. Subsequently, in the chaotic Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, also known as the 'second-in-command dictator,' assumed office as interim president.

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President in Nike Pajamas and Handcuffs

Trump "We Will Govern Venezuela"

On the 3rd (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump posted recent photos of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was captured by U.S. forces in a surprise military operation, on the social networking service Truth Social (left photo). President Maduro is being transported to New York, USA, on the 5th on charges of drug trafficking, accompanied by his wife Cilia Flores. /Truth Social, EPA Yonhap News Agency

The Trump administration, on January 3 (local time), launched an operation called "Resolute Determination," raiding President Maduro's safe house in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Afterwards, President Maduro and his wife were arrested and extradited to New York, USA.

President Maduro is accused of conspiring with drug cartels to smuggle narcotics into the United States. The Trump administration's operation to capture Maduro was primarily motivated by the "war on drugs." However, the prevailing view is that the ultimate goal is to regain control over oil resources in Venezuela, the country with the world's largest crude oil reserves, and further solidify U.S. hegemony in the Western Hemisphere.

US President Donald Trump poses at the House Republican event held on the 6th at the Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington DC. /Photo by Reuters

Indeed, President Trump, in his speech at the Republican House retreat held at the Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on January 6, praised the operation, stating, "Once again, we have proven that the United States possesses the most powerful military." He also added, "As you know, this is a matter of oil drilling," and claimed, "As a result, the real price of oil will fall much further."

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Blatant Ambitions Revealed

Ambitions Toward Greenland Emerge... The World Is on Edge

Instagram, X capture

(From the far left photo) After President Maduro's arrest, the White House released a photo of President Trump on X and Instagram. The phrase "FAFO (F**k Around and Find Out)"-meaning "If you mess around, you die"-is clearly visible. The background photo was taken at Gimhae Airport in Busan in October of last year.

On January 3, the official X account of the U.S. Department of State posted a photo of President Trump, John Ratcliffe (left), Director of the CIA, and Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, watching the U.S. military's operation to capture President Maduro at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The caption at the bottom reads, "Don't play games with president Trump."

Katie Miller, wife of Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House and a close aide to President Trump, posted a map of Greenland on Instagram with the word "SOON." The American flag was draped over Greenland.

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"My Pick Is You, Rodriguez"

AP Yonhap News

Delsi Rodriguez (left), Vice President of Venezuela, who assumed presidential authority in the absence of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was extradited to the United States, took the oath of office as interim president at the National Assembly in Caracas on the 5th (local time). / Photo by Reuters·Xinhua Yonhap News

U.S. media outlets criticized that all Trump wanted was a regime friendly to U.S. interests and willing to grant oil access. It was reported that, based on these needs and calculations, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was appointed as interim president.

According to AP, Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, at her inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Caracas on January 5, stated, "I am here with deep sorrow for the suffering endured by the Venezuelan people due to the illegal military invasion of our homeland," vowing, "I will never rest until peace and stability are restored in Venezuela."

"The priority is for the United States and Venezuela to move toward a balanced and respectful relationship."
"No external power rules Venezuela."
"Venezuela is governed by Venezuelans."
- Delcy Rodriguez

AP Yonhap News

Rodriguez continued to refer to Maduro, who was extradited to the United States, as "president." She said, "I feel deep sorrow over the abduction of two heroes held hostage in the United States, President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores."

In her inauguration speech, Rodriguez avoided making adversarial remarks toward the United States. On January 3, after President Maduro was extradited, she declared, "We will never become slaves again," signaling her will to resist. However, the day after President Trump hinted at the possibility of a "second attack," she simply stated, "I hope our country will live without external threats, with respect and international cooperation."

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A Hardcore Socialist Loyal to Maduro

"An Ambitious Tigress Who Loves Luxury Brands"

AP Yonhap News

"A staunch socialist who helped Maduro remain in power for over 10 years, even as the country's economy collapsed."
- The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)

"Ruthless, highly ambitious, and a Machiavellian operator."
- Former colleagues and U.S. government officials

Interim President Rodriguez is known as a "Maduro loyalist," having served in various roles in the Maduro regime, including Minister of Information and Communications, Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Energy.

Rodriguez, who identifies as a revolutionary, entered politics during the Hugo Chavez administration. Afterward, under Chavez's successor Maduro, she quickly rose through the ranks-serving as Minister of Information and Communications, becoming Venezuela's first female Foreign Minister, and being appointed Vice President in 2018. After becoming Vice President, she concurrently held the post of Finance Minister, overseeing the country's most critical industry: oil.

Rodriguez is known to have maintained close ties with Cuban intelligence in order to crack down on opposition to the Maduro regime. Maduro reportedly called Rodriguez a "tigress," a figurative expression for a highly aggressive and strong woman. On the other hand, the Venezuelan opposition has criticized her for her lavish lifestyle. Since Maduro took office, the Venezuelan economy has shrunk by 80%, and over 8 million people have emigrated, resulting in a total economic collapse. Although Rodriguez was deployed to address the crisis, she has been persistently criticized for her extravagant purchases of luxury bags, shoes, and other goods.

Her brother, Jorge RodriguezThe person standing across from Interim President Rodriguez in the oath-taking photo., who currently serves as Speaker of the National Assembly of Venezuela, is also a close confidant of President Maduro. Last year, Jorge played a key role in overseeing the fraudulent elections that enabled Maduro's prolonged hold on power.

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Why Was 'Democracy Fighter' Machado Excluded?

"How Dare You Receive the Nobel Peace Prize?" Trump's Resentment?

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela (left), Delcy Rodriguez, Interim President. /AFP·Xinhua Yonhap News Photo by AFP

There are various analyses regarding President Trump's decision to select Rodriguez, Maduro’s closest ally, as the leader of Venezuela’s transitional government after ousting Maduro. Instead of Maria Corina Machado, the democratic activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, the choice of Maduro's former Vice President Rodriguez is said to have been heavily influenced by a classified CIA report.

The consensus is that Rodriguez was chosen over opposition leader Machado, who opposed the Maduro government and supported U.S. military intervention, to ensure political stability. The Wall Street Journal reported, "The CIA assessed that, after Maduro's ouster, it would be most suitable for key members of the Maduro regime, including Rodriguez, to lead the interim government and maintain short-term stability," and that "the CIA analysis was reported to President Trump."

Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader of Venezuela, clenches her fist while giving a speech to supporters at a protest held in Caracas, the capital, on January 9, 2025 (local time). /AFP Yonhap News

Maria Corina Machado, a former member of the National Assembly and opposition leader in Venezuela, is protesting against the Maduro government in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 9 last year. /AFP·AP Yonhap News

Trump "Machado? Not Leadership Material"

However, some suggest that President Trump's personal feelings played a significant role. The Washington Post and TIME Magazine reported that "Machado's receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize may have been a source of dissatisfaction for President Trump," and that this could have clouded his strategic judgment. When Machado was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, President Trump publicly expressed his belief that he himself deserved the award.

Machado: "If a free and fair election were held, I would win with over 90% of the vote"..."I want to share the Nobel Prize with Trump"

In an interview with Fox News after the operation, Machado said, "On behalf of the Venezuelan people, I want to express gratitude to President Trump for his courageous mission," adding that she would like to share her Nobel Peace Prize with President Trump.

However, President Trump himself appears indifferent. At a press conference on January 3, he stated that it would be "very difficult" for Machado to become Venezuela's leader.

"Machado risked her life to challenge the Maduro regime, rallied the opposition to victory in the election, and bravely stayed in Venezuela despite the risk of arrest. If not her, who deserves respect?"
- The Wall Street Journal

An Era of Fear and Chaos. Venezuela

At least 24 Venezuelan soldiers and 32 Cuban nationals were killed in the recent U.S. military operation. Civilian casualties also occurred, but their extent has not yet been confirmed, according to AP.

"Dozens of officials and civilians have died... We classify this operation as a 'war crime' and will launch an investigation into the circumstances of the deaths" - Tarek William Saab, Venezuelan Attorney General

"Their blood does not call for revenge but demands justice and strength." "We reaffirm our pledge to restore the legitimate president, completely dismantle terrorist organizations operating abroad, and ensure that such incidents never again tarnish our sovereign territory" - Venezuelan Military